About 10 years ago, I attended a seminar for religion writers, “How Religion Shapes Regional and Community Identity.”

A panel of prestigious people with prestigious titles from prestigious institutions and organizations came to talk to us about how in the world we should cover this thing called religion.

They talked about how religion affects art and about the phenomenon of “megachurches.” One person even talked about Elvis as a religious icon, complete with followers who make pilgrimages to the religious-sounding Graceland.

The 12 days of Christmas are in full swing as we continue to focus on the true meaning of Christmas. We are celebrating with jubilee that most holy night when Jesus Christ, the Prince of Peace, was born among us. We are embracing the mystery of Jesus’ abiding presence with us—all the way to the end of time. We are glorying in the boundless joy that will be ours when we see Jesus face to face in the heavenly kingdom. How can news this good even begin to be celebrated in just one day!

Luke 2:1-7 says, “And it came to pass in those days that a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. This census first took place while Quirinius was governing Syria. So all went to be registered, everyone to his own city.

“Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, to be registered with Mary, his betrothed wife, who was with child.

The story of Jesus’ birth is a familiar story, and that is a problem at Christmas.

It is possible to believe we know a story so well that it is no longer a story with a message. It is possible to feel we know people so well that we no longer look at them with any real curiosity. And it is possible for God to be so present in a familiar story that we lose the ability to even see him.

We know this to be true because familiarity with the story of Jesus was a unique hurdle Jesus faced when he returned to his hometown of Nazareth.

First Apostolic Church will host its Christmas program at 10 a.m., Sunday Dec. 22. This year’s program, titled “The Gift,” will be a puppet show for all ages. A special Christmas gift will be given to everyone who attends the service. Everyone is welcome to attend. Please contact the Rev. Allen Croucher for a ride if needed at (502) 525-7515.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, 501 Main Street in Carrollton will present its fourth Our Savior’s Nativity from 6-8 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 6, and 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 7. Everyone is welcome to attend. Light refreshments will be served. The event is free.

As we approach a new year with excitement, we can look back at 2013 you might’ve had a great year maybe things went well. Or maybe, your year was filled with pain, loss, or broken dreams, the great thing is as people with vision we get to start new you have a fresh start in 2014.

True thanksgiving and gratitude are more than just a day of celebration. It is more than just a holiday. It is a way of life. To truly be happy, we must develop an attitude of gratitude in everyday life, in the good times and in the bad times.